Secretary Clinton's Remarks on the Passing of Argentina's Former President Nestor Kirchner

Passing of Argentina's Former President Nestor Kirchner

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

October 27, 2010

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I offer my deepest condolences to the people of Argentina and President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on the passing of former President Nestor Kirchner. As President of Argentina and Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations, Nestor Kirchner was an advocate for the citizens of Argentina and a leading voice for South American integration.

During my visit to Buenos Aires earlier this year, President Fernandez de Kirchner and I reaffirmed the deep friendship between our countries, and as friends, the United States mourns with all Argentines. They have lost a leader and the Kirchner family has lost a beloved husband and father. Today our thoughts and prayers are with the President and her children.

Hillary did not take even two hours after I got the news and posted about this, her statement came through.

Condolences to President Cristina Kirchner of Argentina

Wow! This just came across the ticker as a huge shock to me.

Former Argentine president Kirchner dies

By Jude Webber in Buenos Aires and John Paul Rathbone in London

Published: October 27 2010 19:34 | Last updated: October 27 2010 19:34

Argentine stocks saw their biggest rise in two years and benchmark sovereign bonds soared after Néstor Kirchner, 60, the former president and husband of current president Cristina Fernández, died of a heart attack and investors bet that the country’s “Kirchner era” was drawing to a close.

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I immediately thought of Hillary. I hope nothing like this ever happens to her. She has had those two scares, and she took them rather hard from what I could see. I am glad President Clinton is being so careful with his diet.

I feel awful for President Kirchner, pictured below with Hillary in the Casa Rosada this past April. It is so sad. The Kirchners represent the Justicialista Party founded by the Pérons. The article comes from the Financial Times, so I am not surprised that the focus is on what investors are betting hoping. I think that after the 65th anniversary this month of this party winning its first presidential election, it is foolish to bet against them.

In the end, though, all politics aside, my heart goes out to the President of Argentina as I am sure Hillary's does as well. My prayers are with her and her family.